Reclaimed (The Phoenix Chronicles Book 1) (17 page)

“What was his name?” asked Summer.

“Damien.”

Summer picked at a blade of grass. “So is that why you're looking out for me? You feel guilty that this guy died so you're making sure the same thing doesn't happen.” She looked up at him, fresh tears pricking her eyes. “I know you guys think I'm the answer and maybe I am but, I'm a person too. A weird, awkward girl who was lucky to be born a fire wielder.”

Ash sighed. “I kept an eye out for you at first because I wanted to see what the council would do.”

Summer laughed. “Just more people in my life to use me. I was extra money to the foster families and now I'm some kind of special tool for you guys that the council had you follow around.”

“Is that what you think?” asked Ash.

Summer turned to face him. “Do you know what one of the challenges were on the mountain?”

Ash furrowed his brow. “Huh?”

“The dark wielders created a mist thing that we had to walk through. It had us face some pretty horrible things.”

“Oh,” said Ash. “The hallucinations.”

“Do you know what mine were?” She picked another blade of grass and shook her head. “You telling me that I meant nothing to you and you would never love me. Now I'm seeing that these were most likely truths.” She held up her hands to stop him from coming towards her. “And of all the challenges,” she choked out. “That was the most difficult thing I had to face.”

Ash pushed her arms aside and pulled Summer into his lap. He tilted her head back so she was forced to look at him. So many emotions were passing through his eyes that Summer wasn't sure what he was thinking. He surprised her by gently lowering his lips to hers.

There was an urgency there; as if he was putting everything he had into that kiss to show her what he had trouble saying. She ran her fingers through his thick hair and pulled him closer. Ash deepened the kiss as he lowered summer into the grass. He pulled back and smiled, both of them breathless.

Summer had never seen him so relaxed before. His face was youthful and much more handsome then she could have imagined.

He braced himself above her. “I looked out for you in the beginning because of the guilt I felt for not trying to help Damien. It took only a few days to see it was much more than that.” He moved a piece of hair out of her face. “I'm sure you noticed but, I'm not very good at leaving you alone.”

Summer answered him by grabbing the collar of his shirt and pulling him down. Their lips met again as his body pressed against hers. The heat between them left Summer wanting more.

Ash broke the kiss again and moved to her side. “I'm sorry. You haven't been healed yet. I shouldn't be doing this.”

She let out a frustrated breath and moved closer to his chest. “I don't care.”

Ash chuckled and ran his fingers down her back as she pressed herself against his body. They sat that way for a while until it felt like his touch alone took away everything she had been through during the challenge.

She eventually moved back and looked up at him. “The hallucinations-”

“Were just that. I would never say that I didn't care about you.”

“If you cared so much then why were you trying to stay away from me?” she asked.

“I didn't want them to see how much I meant to you and then someone use that to hurt you. I also thought that maybe I could stop this from happening,” he said, gesturing between the two of them. “I was wrong and stupid for trying.”

Summer ran her fingers down his cheek. “You realize that the only person using this relationship to hurt me was you.”

Ash's face fell. “I didn't think of it like that. I'm sorry.”

“It's okay,” she said, kissing his cheek. “I forgive you.”

“Good,” he said, picking her up off the ground. “Because I hate when you're upset. Now let's get back so you can eat something.”

She grabbed his hand. “Ash, stay with me tonight.”

“Okay,” he said, smiling again. “And I want you to know that those foster homes were lucky to have you for however long they did. They were blind if they didn't see what a sweet and funny girl you were.”

“Oh Ash.” She wrapped her arms around him and let out a content sigh. His arms dropped to her waist as his purple eyes met her golden ones. “Why couldn't you save me then?”

He kissed her sweetly. “I wish I could have.”

They walked back to Summer's tent with her hand in his. Right now she didn't care who saw. She needed him to stay and letting go made it feel like he would leave.

“You had us worried!” exclaimed Tracy. “You've been gone for hours.”

Ash sat down and pulled Summer into his lap. “She was busy.”

Tracy stared at them for a moment before tossing two sandwiches their way. Ash caught them and handed Summer one.

“What do you think we'll have to do tomorrow?” asked Nora. She was nervously twisting a piece of hair as she rested her head on Zach's shoulder.

Summer grinned. “Absolutely nothing.”

“What do you mean?” asked Ash.

“You have to compete,” added Tracy.

She stretched in Ash's lap and wrapped her arms around his neck. Her friends looked alarmed but, didn't say a word.

“I have a plan and I think it'll work,” she answered.

Chapter 19

Summer took her time getting ready that morning. She had no idea when everything started but, after overhearing last night's conversation she knew they wouldn't begin without her. In fact, she was certain this whole competition was just a test for her. Well it was time to show them what she really thought of all their underhanded decisions.

Ash had left for a brief moment during the morning so he could get cleaned up. He was back and had stayed close to Summer the entire time. She had a feeling that their relationship was pretty clear to everyone and there was no reason to hide anymore.

“Are you sure this is going to work?” asked Tracy.

“It has to,” answered Summer. “They either do what I say or I'll leave and I know they don't want that.”

Summer walked straight past all the wielders at the base of the mountain and up towards the council members. She held her head high as she approached them.

“Good morning,” said Jasper a little too loudly. She could sense his anxiety and completely ignored it.

“I need to speak with the elves and the council,” she said.

“Of course,” said Jasper. He glanced at Ash and her friends.

Summer locked eyes with him. “They stay.”

Jasper laughed nervously and walked into the woods. A few minutes later he returned with the elves who looked slightly intrigued.

“Hello Summer,” said Nareh. “You wanted to speak with us?”

Summer folded her arms. “I'm not finishing this elimination and neither are the other wielders. We're going back to the castle and you two will be training everyone. Not just a few hand-picked people.”

Everyone looked floored. Only Mario, who she hadn't spoken much with, grinned. He coughed as he tried to suppress his laugh.  

“That wasn't the agreement,” said Van.

“You need me, right?” asked Summer. “I have the marks of the Phoenix and I don't remember anyone ever asking what I thought about all of this.”

Nareh nodded and looked pleased. “You are very right. We never asked your opinion.”

“Thank you,” replied Summer. “If you don't want me to leave the training facility and disappear then you'll agree to my terms.”

“But the elimination challenge,” stuttered Jasper.

“Is insane,” growled Ash.

Summer held up her pointer finger. “But it did prove one thing. That the elements work better as a team. There's no way I would have made it to the end without people helping. So,” she said, staring at everyone, “We do this together or I leave.”

Van was the first to react. He walked over and clasped her shoulder. “Finally, the first person to make sense out of all these morons. We start training the morning we get back. Go tell the other wielders what you did. Be proud.”

Summer smiled and sighed in relief. “Thank you.”

She left with her friends in tow. Once they were out of earshot Tracy burst into laughter.

“I can't believe that actually worked,” she said, patting her back. “Jasper is going to be pissed.”

“Jasper would be even more upset if the elves left,” said Ash.

“I figured as much,” said Summer. “So it looks like your private meeting really helped me last night.”

“Uh, what?” asked Zach.

Ash's cheeks turned bright red. “That's not what she meant.”

Summer laughed and practically skipped back to her tent. It was the first time she had stood up for herself since being here and it felt amazing. Things were going to be on her terms now and she didn't care what the council thought.

As they got to the tent word had already spread of what happened. People were packing their things and looking at Summer with a newfound respect. She was thanked by people who had refused to even acknowledge she existed. It was exhilarating.

Ash looked at her, his eyes shining. “You did good.”

“Thanks,” she said, blushing.

They grabbed their things and all headed back together. Summer was not looking forward to the long walk but, she was excited to sleep in a bed again. He back was screaming from the hard floor she had slept on.

“Ash,” she said, as they were walking. It had been sometime and she guessed they were about halfway there.

“Hmm?”

“What happened to Damien? What made him leave?”

Ash’s mouth went into a thin line. “You really want to know?”

“Please?”

He offered he a tense smile. “He was always a little strange. He came here scared and unsure of himself.”

“Why did they think he was so special?”

“He was only sixteen years old when his powers started to show,” answered Ash.

“What!” exclaimed Summer. “Holy crap!”

“Yup,” nodded Ash. “Jasper is the one that found him. Just like you, he lost his parents.”

“Seems to be a common theme,” said Summer.

“Wielders are being hunted.”

Summer threw her hands in the air. “By other wielders! That's the craziest thing I've ever heard.” She pointed to a group of people walking a few feet away from them. “I made it up the mountain because of everyone else. I couldn't have done it alone. Why would these so-called evil wielders want to kill their own people if it takes all of us to bring back the swing of power?”

Ash glanced around them. Other people were starting to look and whisper. He pulled Summer off to the side where they could speak more privately.

“The council thinks it's about flexing their arms,” said Ash in a low voice. “That's why I don't agree with what they do but, right now this is the only safe place for young wielders.”

“So you know the council has a backwards way of thinking, you hate them but, you're staying so you can help the new, young wielders?”

“Uh, yes,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck.

Summer gave his hand a squeeze. “Careful, don't want everyone knowing what a nice softy you are.”

“Ha ha,” said Ash as he cast summer a sideways glance. “I'm not that nice. I should have told you about Damien to begin with.”

“Probably.” She winked. “Anyway, why did he leave?”

“We were all waiting for the day he turned eighteen. After two years of solid training he had become strong but, we still needed to see his marks.” Ash lowered his head. “As soon as we saw the two small bands he went nuts. Didn't feel like he was good enough so he ran. We never found him.”

“Just the bloodied jacket,” said Summer in a whisper.

“That's what Jasper said.” Ash looked over his shoulder. “Who knows if it's true,” he whispered. “I hope for Damien's sake that he escaped and is living a boring life somewhere.”

“Me too,” replied Summer.

They continued the rest of the hike back just making small talk. After a short break their friends had joined them.

It was then that Summer realized she was actually happy. Her life was really screwed up and she was involved in some serious stuff but, for once she mattered. Her friends cared about her, Ash cared about her, and the whole wielding community needed her. Never in her life would she have imagined that this was her place in the world but, here she was, walking back to the training camp, on her terms, and happy.

They got back to the castle in the late afternoon. Everyone separated and went to their dorms; most of them in desperate need of a change of clothes or a nap in their bed. Camping out in the woods on the hard ground just didn’t cut it.

“I'm starvin’,” said Tracy letting out a long breath.

Summer cast her a sideways glance. “You're always hungry.”

“I am…” Tracy paused and cocked her head to the side. “Why is our door open?”

“The book!” gasped Summer.

She shoved past Tracy and went flying inside the room. Every single bed was flipped over and torn apart. The sofas were scattered everywhere and all the wooden furniture destroyed. There were so many feathers it looked like a mass plucking of chickens had taken place right in their room.

“What the hell?” asked Tracy as she stepped in. “Who would have done this?”

Summer slowly walked over to the fireplace. “I don't know. Almost everyone was with us except for a few council members, the kitchen people, and some guards.”

“The cleaners were here too,” said Tracy.

“Mm hmm.”

Summer wasn't paying attention. She was looking closely at the fire place. Thankfully it seemed untouched.

She picked up a partially torn blanket and began searching the outer stone the lined the wall near the fire. It formed an arch and helped contain the flames.

“Ah ha!” whispered Summer. She pulled the stone out and let out a happy cry. “It's still here!”

“How did you ever think to hide it there and why didn't it burn?” asked Tracy.

Summer smiled and flipped through the familiar pages. “I was up late and thinking about what Doug had said when we found him. He had put this in the fire place and I realized that it was normally on. I decided to test it out and burn the book.”

Tracy grabbed her shoulder. “You did what? Summer, what if that didn't work and the book was burned to a crisp?”

Summer smiled sheepishly and shrugged. “Well it did work so it doesn't matter. I found out the book is fireproof.”

“Okay fine,” said Tracy as she dropped her hand. “It was a good idea now but, at the time I think I would have freaked out.”

Summer nodded. “Yeah. So what do we do?”

“Grab the book and some clothes. I'll call the cleaning guys. It'll take them until tomorrow to fix this mess. Until then, we shack up somewhere else.”

Summer blushed. “I guess I'll see if Ash will let me stay with him. You think they have room?”

“Yes,” answered Tracy, rolling her eyes. “All the dorms have room. You're just afraid he'll say no.”

“No I'm not!”

Tracy leaned against the wall. “You can come stay with the light wielders. No one would care.”

“I'll take my chances with Ash.” Summer walked over to the large dresser that was partially empty. “Let me just get my clothes and I'll head over. After that we need to figure something out because these attacks are ridiculous.”

“Maybe you can ask the elves about the book. Wasn't Geoff an elf?” asked Tracy.

Summer stopped what she was doing and looked up at her. “Hmm, maybe you're right. Let me feel them out first and then I'll see if I want to show them. Can't be too careful.”

“Right,” replied Tracy. “Let me go grab the guys. I'll be right back.”

It took a while for Tracy to return. Summer had been sitting on a flipped bed with her clothes and the carefully concealed book. She realized she had been oddly calm through all of this. It would be foolish to not admit that she knew this would happen. If they killed Doug for the book, then they were definitely coming after her next. She just needed to make sure to be extra careful.

“Sorry it took so long!” said Tracy as she rushed into the room. “I ran into Fay so I told her what happened. She said it was okay to stay in another dorm for a night while they get this cleaned up.”

“Okay,” replied Summer as she gathered her things. “I'll see you tomorrow.”

Her and Tracy separated at the end of the hall. She waited for Tracy to round the corner before she ran. There was no way she wanted Tracy to see that she was a tiny bit scared.

Summer stopped and awkwardly stared at the dark wielders dorm. She didn't know whether to knock or yell for Ash. Since yelling seemed like a ridiculous choice she chose the latter one. The door immediately creaked open to reveal a tall boy that she couldn't remember the name of.

“Yeah?” He asked.

“Is...um, Ash here?”

“Yo Ash!” shouted the boy over his shoulder. “That girl is here to see you.”

“That girl?” Summer couldn't help herself. “What do you mean?”

He cracked a smile. “You know, the cool one who had the council peeing themselves.”

“Oh.” Summer blushed. “Thank you?”

“Sure.” He shrugged and moved out of the way as Ash pushed through.

“Are you okay?” he asked, looking up and down the halls.

“Fine.” Summer linked her fingers behind her back and rocked on her heels. “So, our room was trashed. It's going to take a day to clean. Do you think I can stay here? I know people will definitely know that I'm hanging out with you but, I can go-”

“Relax,” he said, resting a hand on her shoulder. “You can stay here.”

He pulled her into the room and ignored all the stares. Everyone quieted significantly but, the talking never stopped. She wondered if this is what it was like having other roommates. The background noise would've been nice when she was anxious. It reminded her of being in a house full of kids. She always enjoyed the different noises.

Ash led them towards the end of the room where she was greeted by a familiar face.

“Hey!” said Nora cheerfully. “What are you doing here?”

“Our room was trashed. Someone was looking for something.”

“What were they...oh!” squeaked Nora. “Did they find it?”